Operating Engineer Assistant Stationary

Course Description

EEV0658 — Operating Engineer Assistant Stationary is a vocational clock-hour course in the Engineering Technologies > Electronics Vocational taxonomy of Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS). The course prepares students for entry-level employment as assistant stationary engineers in commercial buildings, industrial facilities, hospitals, hotels, and power plants. Students develop the foundational knowledge and hands-on skills needed to assist licensed stationary engineers in operating, monitoring, and maintaining the mechanical systems — including boilers, chillers, HVAC equipment, pumps, compressors, generators, and related electrical controls — that keep large facilities running safely and efficiently around the clock. The course blends instructor-led theory with laboratory and simulated plant-operations practice.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and describe the major components of low-pressure and high-pressure boiler systems, including boiler fittings, valves, gauges, and safety devices.
• Perform routine monitoring of temperatures, pressures, water levels, and fuel consumption for heating and cooling systems in accordance with established operating procedures.
• Demonstrate safe startup, shutdown, and emergency shutdown procedures for boilers and auxiliary plant equipment.
• Conduct boiler water quality tests and apply basic water chemistry and treatment principles to maintain proper boiler water conditions.
• Identify the components and operating principles of HVAC systems, including heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration equipment.
• Apply workplace safety rules, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, and relevant codes (ASME, OSHA) to plant operations and maintenance tasks.
• Interpret basic mechanical and electrical schematics, blueprints, and technical manuals used in plant operations.
• Accurately document boiler operations, maintenance activities, meter readings, and work orders using manual logs and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Perform preventive maintenance tasks such as lubricating components, replacing filters and gaskets, and inspecting plant equipment for deficiencies.
• Demonstrate effective communication and teamwork when receiving and relaying instructions to senior operating engineers and other trades personnel.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institutional resources and program emphasis, students may also:

• Operate and monitor chiller systems, cooling towers, and condenser water loops in large commercial or campus settings.
• Demonstrate basic troubleshooting procedures for pump failures, compressor malfunctions, and control system anomalies.
• Use building automation system (BAS) software and energy management interfaces to adjust plant parameters and log system data.
• Identify the fundamentals of steam turbine and diesel engine operation as found in hospital or industrial co-generation plants.
• Explain EPA refrigerant handling requirements and the proper procedures for CFC containment.
• Describe the role of the assistant stationary engineer in emergency response, including switching plant systems to manual operation during power failures.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Boiler Fundamentals — Types of boilers (fire-tube, water-tube); boiler construction; boiler fittings and accessories; low-pressure vs. high-pressure operation; ASME codes and National Board Inspection Code requirements.
• Boiler Operations & Safety — Startup and shutdown procedures; gauge reading; pressure and water-level monitoring; safety valves and relief devices; fire prevention and emergency procedures.
• Combustion Systems — Fuels (natural gas, fuel oil); burner types and controls; combustion efficiency; draft systems; fuel oil pumps and gas feeds.
• Water Chemistry & Treatment — Feedwater systems; water quality testing; chemical treatment methods; scale and corrosion prevention; blowdown procedures.
• Hydronic Heating Systems — Hot water heating circuits; expansion tanks; circulating pumps; hydronic controls and thermostats.
• HVAC Systems Overview — Principles of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; air handling units; ductwork; basic refrigeration cycle; condensers and compressors.
• Pumps & Piping — Types of pumps (centrifugal, reciprocating); pump operation and maintenance; pipefitting basics; valves and fittings; pipe reading and system schematics.
• Basic Electrical Principles — Electrical safety; AC/DC circuits; motors and motor controls; voltage testing; reading wiring diagrams.
• Plant Safety, Codes & Regulations — OSHA general industry standards; PPE; lockout/tagout (LOTO); hazardous materials handling; boiler and pressure vessel codes.
• Maintenance Documentation & Record-Keeping — Logbook entries; meter readings; CMMS work-order systems; maintenance schedules.

Optional Topics

• Chiller Systems & Refrigeration Plants — Absorption and centrifugal chillers; cooling towers; condenser water treatment; chiller maintenance and water balancing.
• Steam Turbines & Generators — Components of steam turbines; turbine operation basics; electrical generation fundamentals; co-generation and combined-cycle concepts.
• Diesel Engines & Compressors — Diesel engine operation; air compressors; compressed gas systems; preventive maintenance practices.
• Building Automation & Controls — Building management system (BMS) interfaces; computerized combustion controls; energy management and monitoring software.
• Instrumentation & Calibration — Pressure gauges, thermocouples, flow meters; calibration procedures; troubleshooting instrumentation faults.
• EPA Refrigerant Handling — CFC/HCFC/HFC regulations; Section 608 requirements; refrigerant containment and recovery practices.
• Pipefitting & Basic Welding — Advanced piping layouts; soldering and welding on plant equipment and pipelines; pressure testing.

Resources & Tools

• Primary Textbook: Stationary Engineering, 5th Edition — Steingress, Frost & Walker (standard reference for NIULPE and ASOPE certification examinations)
• Reference Codes: ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code (Sections I, VI, VII); National Board Inspection Code; OSHA 29 CFR 1910 General Industry Standards
• Lab Equipment: Operational or simulated boiler units; HVAC trainers; water testing kits; pressure gauges and instrumentation panels; pump and motor assemblies
• Software & Technology: Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) software; building automation system (BAS) simulation platforms; boiler operation virtual simulators
• Certification References: NIULPE (National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers) study materials; ASOPE (American Society of Power Engineers) exam prep resources
• O*NET Online: Occupational profile 51-8021.00 — Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook)

Career Pathways

Graduates of this course are prepared for entry-level employment in facilities management, power generation, and building operations sectors. Typical work settings include commercial office buildings, hospitals and healthcare facilities, hotels and resorts, schools and universities, manufacturing plants, water and wastewater treatment plants, and electric power stations.

• Assistant Stationary Engineer — Entry-level plant operations role under the supervision of a licensed stationary engineer
• Boiler Operator / Boiler Tender — Focused operation and monitoring of low- or high-pressure boiler systems
• Plant Utilities Technician — Utility system operations in industrial or manufacturing environments
• Building Engineer (Maintenance Engineer I/II) — Facility-wide mechanical systems maintenance in commercial or healthcare settings
• HVAC/R Technician — With additional credentialing, advancement into HVAC installation and service roles
• Stationary Engineer (Licensed) — Career advancement pathway upon accumulation of required work experience and passing state or NIULPE licensure examinations
• Chief Engineer / Facilities Manager — Long-term supervisory pathway overseeing all mechanical systems in a large facility

Special Information

Certification Preparation

This course provides foundational preparation aligned with industry licensure and certification requirements relevant to Florida and national standards:

• NIULPE (National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers) — Course content aligns with the NIULPE Grade 5 (entry-level) competency framework covering boiler operations, water treatment, and plant safety. The NIULPE is recognized across multiple states and jurisdictions as a portable power engineering credential.
• ASOPE (American Society of Power Engineers) — Course competencies support preparation for ASOPE boiler operator licensing examinations.
• EPA Section 608 Technician Certification — Where optional refrigerant handling topics are covered, students may be prepared to sit for the EPA Section 608 exam (Type I/II) required for handling refrigerants in HVAC and refrigeration systems.
• Florida Boiler Safety Program — Florida enforces the Florida Boiler Safety Act (Chapter 554, F.S.) and ASME codes for boiler inspection and operation. Students completing this course will have foundational knowledge applicable to complying with state boiler safety requirements and pursuing operator registration with the Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers' Compensation, Boiler Safety Program.

Program Notes

• This is a clock-hour vocational course (PSAV level, SCNS level code 0) offered at Florida technical colleges and career centers. Credit hours shown reflect standard clock-hour-to-credit conversion.
• Students are strongly encouraged to pursue concurrent or post-course apprenticeship opportunities through the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) or other local building-trades apprenticeship programs to accumulate the required on-the-job training hours for full licensure.
• Physical requirements include the ability to stand for extended periods, work in confined spaces, lift moderate to heavy equipment, and work in environments with high temperatures, noise, and potential exposure to chemicals and grease.